Written by

Chris Vannini

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

Chris Vannini is the managing editor of the Spartans blog The Only Colors. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Read his column every Monday at here and follow Vannini on Twitter at @ChrisVannini.

Connor Cook is in an interesting position.

After a rough 2012 season, many fans are clamoring for the sophomore Cook to take over for senior Andrew Maxwell at quarterback, but it appears Maxwell will start the year at No. 1 on the depth chart.

Down the road, incoming freshman Damion Terry is viewed to be the quarterback of the future. Fans want Cook, but as a quick fix.

Donít tell Cook that.

Heís been training with quarterback guru George Whitfield in Ohio recently. Heís working to be the quarterback of the present, as well as the future.

My belief has been that Maxwell is the better quarterback when the pieces around him are working. When the line is blocking and the receivers are getting open and holding into the ball. Last year, none of those three things happened.

If they remain problems in 2013, Cook could be the better option because of his ability to keep plays alive and take off down field, making something out of nothing. But he needs to improve his decision-making and avoid crippling mistakes. For a coach like Mark Dantonio, those can be the most important characteristics.

What about the future? Even if Maxwell wins the job, expect to see Cook a bit. Dantonio wants to play the backup for experience when he has a senior starter, as he did with Kirk Cousins in 2008, and perhaps didnít do enough with Maxwell in 2011.

Who wins the job in 2014? Cook will likely be the most experienced. Terry will probably redshirt in 2013, but he may not if the coaches think he has a good shot to start. Then thereís redshirt freshman Tyler OíConnor, a highly-touted recruit from Ohio who struggled in the spring game, but also has a lot of potential and dual-threat ability. Of the three, Cook has been the least-heralded.

There is no shortage of options, and thatís a good thing, even if it results in some roster turnover. MSU typically brings in one quarterback per recruiting class, but when passed on the depth chart by someone younger, backups often look for new homes.

When Keith Nichol decided to transfer from Oklahoma to MSU in 2008, it resulted in Nick Foles transferring out to Arizona. It was believed Nichol would win the job, but Cousins surprised everyone and turned into the winningest quarterback in school history.

Nichol moved to receiver, and Foles, like Cousins, was drafted into the NFL. So we never know how things are going to turn out.

For those who think MSUís quarterback situation is already determined to be Maxwell to Terry or OíConnor, or that Cook will only be a temporary buffer between them, Cook rightfully isnít preparing like that.